D'lite-ish 6V6 tone tweak questions.

[deiseldave]

Hi guys. How would I go about getting the clean channel to dirty up a little earlier?
On all (3) of my strats (2 HSS passive, 1 EMG DG-20), I can go to 10 on the volume, and the cleans are still too clean.
I would like to have channel 1 break up a little more, and earlier. I've tried a bunch of tubes. Still squeaky clean.
Thanks - Dave

[Duble]

I would like to have channel 1 break up a little more, and earlier.Thanks - Dave

Try dropping the B+ a tad on V1 plates.

[brewdude]

Could try removing the local NFB.
Remember, anything you do to the clean channel will likey effect the overdrive channel also.

[deiseldave]

Thanks guys. I like the sound of the LNFB. How much is the (2) 22M giving? Can it just be reduced a little?

[Smokebreak]

Stack lift?(PAB)

[martin manning]

Have you tried experimenting with a higher clean volume setting and a lower MV setting? Both clean and OD will be affected by this of course, but it is a useful way to fine tune the distortion level.

[deiseldave]

Stack lift?(PAB)

PAB gets me a little dirt.

[deiseldave]

Have you tried experimenting with a higher clean volume setting and a lower MV setting? Both clean and OD will be affected by this of course, but it is a useful way to fine tune the distortion level.

Martin - Thanks. Yes I did. The most I can go is about 2 or 3 oclock on input. Then, OD drive has to be turned down to like 8 oclock, and OD level maxed out to have any kind of balance between them. If I could get clean channel to start getting a little dirty at somewhere between noon and 1, it would be perfect balance.

[martin manning]

How about lowering the OD input signal with the OD entrance trimmer?

[deiseldave]

How about lowering the OD input signal with the OD entrance trimmer?

Martin, thanks. I can do that. But, I don't see how it will help me with OD level being maxed out. When the clean is turned passed 2 oclock, it becomes louder than the OD channel.
Maybe I could lower B+ to V1 a little, and lower OD Trim a little?

[JD0x0]

Mid boost on
Rock

If I set the clean volume above 7 it starts to really drive. I'm running bigger power tubes, and if I turn up the master, I can get even more grunt. I was actually surprised at how much the ODS could break up on the clean channel. I could easily get as much gain, as when the OD channel is engaged, with the drive turned way up.

It kind of sounds like you need to tweek the ratio so that you can get a louder OD tone. I dont recall ever having the clean louder than the OD, with the ratio maxed out on my amp, even with the clean volume dimed. Since it sounds like you can achieve enough breakup, just the OD volume wont keep up, I think you could probably just tweek the OD volume a bit, so it'll at least match, then you wont have to worry about how much you turn the clean volume up, because the OD should be able to keep up.

Are you running low plates or high? My amp is a high plate, and it's really gainy. I'm curious what you're using to stay squeaky clean, as you say

[deiseldave]

Mid boost on
Rock

If I set the clean volume above 7 it starts to really drive. I'm running bigger power tubes, and if I turn up the master, I can get even more grunt. I was actually surprised at how much the ODS could break up on the clean channel. I could easily get as much gain, as when the OD channel is engaged, with the drive turned way up.

It kind of sounds like you need to tweek the ratio so that you can get a louder OD tone. I dont recall ever having the clean louder than the OD, with the ratio maxed out on my amp, even with the clean volume dimed. Since it sounds like you can achieve enough breakup, just the OD volume wont keep up, I think you could probably just tweek the OD volume a bit, so it'll at least match, then you wont have to worry about how much you turn the clean volume up, because the OD should be able to keep up.

Are you running low plates or high? My amp is a high plate, and it's really gainy. I'm curious what you're using to stay squeaky clean, as you say

High plates. I used D'lite tweaked values, and added mid boost. The PAB is also modified to this design: https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... 9&start=15 .
How do I tweak OD volume? Thanks.

[martin manning]

Do you have a schematic for your amp as-built, or one that you mostly followed that you can post?

[deiseldave]

Let me redline one up.

[deiseldave]

It is for the most part this is what I have. The only differences are: I put a mid boost relay that adds 2.2nf cap in series with 330pf treble cap, and PAB switches in mid trimmer at approx 270K to ground, and bass trim at approx 120K to ground.